Time-controlled electric signaling device



May 1% H9260 7 A. W. TUPPER TIME CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICEFiled Oct. 8, 1921 ,w mk f @5 e1 Patented May 18, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,585,318 PATENT OFFICE.

-ARTI-IUR 'W. TUPPER, OF BIVERDALE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO 3'. AUSTINSTONE, J. HANSON BOYDEN, AND WILLIAM G. PRENTISS, JOINTLY, ALL OFWASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TIME-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

.Application filed October 8, 1921. Serial No. 508,4.

This invention relates to electric signaling devices, and moreespecially to timing mechanism for controlling signals produced by asuccession of electrical impulses of definite 6 duration.

For use along the coast as aids to navigation, on highways to indicatethe presence of danger conditions, and for other purposes, it hasheretofore been proposed to provide 10 signals in the nature of lightswhich are caused to flash continuously and periodically in acharacteristic manner. Owing to the comparative inaccessibility of thesesignal stations, however, great difficulty has been experienced inproducing a light flashing device of this nature in which the cost ofattendance and maintenance would not be prohibitive. Attempts have beenmade to employ both liquid and gaseous fuel for such lights, but thesehave proven objectionable either on account of unreliability orexcessive cost, and although the use of electricity has been suggested,no entirely satisfactory electrical device has so far'been produced.

The problem presented is to provide a flashing light which shall bereliable and dependable under all atmospheric conditions, reasonably lowin first cost and in cost of operation, entirely self-contained, andrequiring the minimum of attention. This problem I propose to-solveelectrically.

To this end, the present invention seeks to provide a self-containedelectrically oper- 85 ated flashing light, in which current both forsupplying the light and for actuating the flashing mechanism isfurnished by a relatively small battery, and which is so designed andconstructed that a minimum of current is used by the flashing mechanism,whereby the device will continue to operate over long periods-of timewithout battery renewals. For example, my improved flashing light,located at an isolated station, can reasonably be made to run for a yearor more, without attention of any kind, and without the necessity for anexcessive outlay for batteries.

As heretofore constructed, flashing or occulting lights of. the classreferred to have operated to produce simply alternate intervals ofluminosity and darkness, the'relative lengths of these respectiveperiods being varied as desired.

proved flashing mechanism by means of which different signal stationscan be caused to emit characteristically difl'erent signals consistingof groups or a succession of groups of flashes in certain definite timedrelation, these groups or succession of groups being produced incontinuously recurring cycles. By arranging these groups of flashes andthe intervals between them in accordance with a predetermined code, eachstatron can be made to emit signals indicative either of its exactposition or location, or of the existence of some particular conditionor danger.

With the above objects in view, my invention comprises the combinationof time measuring mechanism, preferably electrically actuated, Withcircuit controlling devices operated by said mechanism in such a. mannerthat a succession of timed electrical impulses may be impressed upon acircuit, and means whereby various characteristic groups of impulses maybe produced at will, and repeated in recurring cycles.

The invention further comprises certain improved construction andarrangement of parts, all as will hereinafter fully appear, and bepointed out in the appended claims.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is hadto the accompanymg drawing, forming a part of this specification, andillustrating, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention, inwhich drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved signal mechanismwith the top plate re- 7 moved.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the circuit closermembers and the adjustable cam for operating the same.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the armature for operatingthe timing device, parts being broken away.

improved mechanism is carried between top and bottom movement plates 1and 2, separated by spacing rods 3, after the well known manner of clockwork construction. Between the movement plates, is located a periodic,oscillatory timing device, shown as a balance wheel 4, secured to ashaft or arbor 5, having at its ends pintles journaled in the movementplates. Jeweled bearings (not shown) may, if desired, be employed.Associated with the balance wheel 4 is the usual spiral spring 6,secured at one end to the shaft 5, as indicated at 7, and anchored atits other end to a p1n 8 carried by the movement plate 1. It Wlll. thusbe seen that the balance wheel is capable of free oscillation, and thatthe period, which is of course inherently constant, is dependent uponthe size of the wheel and the strength of the spring. By way of example,a wheel having a period of approximately one second has been foundsuitable for many classes of work.

Set into the lower side of the wheel 4 is a depending pin 9 againstwhich the free end of a leaf spring 10 is adapted to engage. The otherend of the spring 10 is mechanically and rigidly attached to butinsulated from a bell crank lever 11, mounted on a shaft 12, supportedbetween the movement plates. One arm of the lever 11 is of relativelybroad flat configuration as indicated at 13, and constitutes thearmature for an electromagnet 14, supported on a fixed bracket 15. Thearmature 13 is provided with a portion 16, somewhat ofiset from the bodyof the armature and bent over upon itself as clearly shown in Fig. 5, soas to partially embrace the spring 10 intermediate its ends. Thebent-over por tion 16 carries a contact point 17 mounted in aninsulating bushing 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, and a co-operatingcontact 19 is carried by the spring 10.

The other arm 20 of the bell crank lever 11 is connected at its free endby means of a pivot 22 to one end of a pawl 21. This pawl is provided atits free end with a hook or shoulder 24 which is held in engagement witha ratchet wheel 25 by means of a leaf spring 23, carried by the arm 20and arranged to bear against the pawl 21 in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

The ratchet wheel 25 is fast upon a shaft 27 journaled between themovement plates, and also secured to this shaft is a circuit controllingelement which I will designate a code disc 26. This element has itsperiphery shaped to form raised portions a, b and c of differentlengths, and cutaway portions such as indicated at d and 6. These willbe hereinafter referred to in detail.

Bearing upon the edge. of the code disc 26 is a contact spring arm 30carrying a contact 31 which is adapted to engage a similar contact 32carried by a second spring arm 33, the arms 30 and 33 being suitablymounted on a block 34, the arm 33 being insulated from the movementplates as indicated at 34 in Fig. 1.

On a post 35 carried by the movement plate 2 adjacent the shaft of thebalance wheel is pivotally mounted a contact arm 36. This arm or leveris provided with a rounded nose 37 which is adapted to bear against acam lug 38 carried by a sleeve 39, adjustably secured to the shaft 5 ofthe balauce wheel by means of a set screw 40. (See Fig. 4.) The leverarm 36 is yieldingly held against the cam by means of a spring 41 set ina split post' 42 carried by the movement plate 2.

The rear end of the lever arm 36 is preferably in the form of a leafspring 43, car rying at its free end a contact 44 ada ted to engage asimilar contact 45, carried by another spring arm 46, mounted upon ablock of insulation 47.

In order to supply the signal circuit with current, I employ abatter 48,which may be of any approved form, but is preferably of the closedcircuit Edison type. From one side of this battery extends a wire 49having two branches 50 and 54. The branch 50 is connected to one end ofthe winding of the electromagnet 14, while the other end of this windingis connected by a conductor 51 to the spring 10 adja cent the pivot 12of the bell crank lever. The other branch 54 is connected to the contactspring 33.

From the other side of the battery extends a wire 53 having two branches52 and 55. The branch 52 is secured directly, as by soldering, to thecontact pin 17, while the branch 55 extends to one terminal of thesignal device, shown as an electric lamp 56, the other terminal of thislamp being connected by a wire 57 with the contact spring 46.

The operation of my improved signaling device will now be described.Fig. 1 shows the normal or rest position of the parts, the balance wheelbeing held in the position shown by the tension of the spring 6, suchtensionbeing great enough to flex the spring 10 until the contacts 17,19 come together. This, of course, is due to the fact that the Wheel isarrested by the spring 10 before it has reached the limit of movement towhich its natural free swing would bring it, so that the amplitude isslightly shortened by engagement with this spring. However, thisshortening is so nearly negligible that the inherent period ofoscillation may still be regarded as substantially constant. Currentbeing supplied from a battery connected as shown, current will flowthrough the wire 50 andmagnet 14, thence see - over the wire 51 to thespring '10, wheiice' i t" will ass through the contact points 19*a'nd}the wire '52 to the other side of the battery.

pivot 12. As the armature 13. moves to;

ward the magnet, its spring 10, stifiened'by period.

virtue of the mechanical support afiorded-at. the contact points 17 and19,-bearsaga1nst.

the pin 9 and swings the balance wheel on its pivots. The magnet willcontinue to be energized until the armature 13 has ceased to move, andthe pin 9, due to the momentum of the balanced wheel, has swung aroundout of engagement with the spring 10. When this occurs, the contact 19leaves the contact 17 and thus breaks the circuit of the electromagnet.An impulse having thus been given to the balance wheel, it continues tocomplete its oscillation, and on its inturn swing, the pin 9 againengages the spring 10, thus moving such spring and at: tached armaturebackinto the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the circuit to'themagnet is again closed. In this position the bell crank lever 11 isstopped by engagement with a stop pin 11' set into the plate 2. It willbe noted that the end of spring.

10 is always disposed in the path of movement of the pin 9, and acts asa yielding buffer against which such pin impinges at each oscillation,thus bringing the wheel to rest, flexin the spring and storing up energywhich is returned to the wheel when. the spring straightens out afterthe armature is operated. It will be observed, also,

that this operation of the armature serves to suddenly increase thetension of the spring 10, by further flexing it, and this increasedtension" starts the wheel on its re turn swing. Thus it will be seenthat at each oscillation of the balance wheel, a kick or impulse isimparted to it by the electromagnet, acting through spring 10, and thatthus the/balance wheel'is maintained in continuous oscillation,completing each stroke, as is well known, in an inherently constant Fromthe above it will be observed that my improved timing mechanism isabsolutely self-starting, that is to say, it will begin to run as soonas connected to a source of current, and continue to run as long ascurrent is supplied. .It cannot come to rest in an off or dead position,but-if the current fails, will stop in the position shown in Fig. 1,with the circuit of the magnet winding closed at contacts '17, 19, asdescribed.

It will be noted that as the balance'wheel moves from the position shownin Fig. 1, the cam lug 38 will be shifted around and withdrawn frombeneath the nose 37 of the lever 36,' a nd thi'silei er will thereforebeswung .-upon-i ts pivot-.35, under the influence of the 17,'w ch are inengagement, andthencefby spring 41, thu'sxseparating the contacts 44ahd-45., When, however, the wheel returns This will energize theelectromagnet" and 7 cause it to attract its armature 13, thueifi?will-ride up upon the cam lug '38 and thus swinging the bell crank lever11 on-ifts to the position shown in Fig. 1, the nose closethe'contac'tsand 45. In other words,

timeduring" which this circuit closer re- -'mains closed is measured bythe time re quired for the cam lug 38 to pass under the levertotheextent shown in Fig. 1, and then out again. In other words, thecontacts and d5 remain closed during the last part of one stroke and thebeginning of thesucceeding stroke. It will therefore be seen that theduration of engagement of the contacts 44: and 4.5 is dependent upon thelength and position of the cam lug 38. In

order to vary the length or duration of con,- tact, I may angularlyadjust the sleeve 39 and associated "cam lug 38 about the shaft 5, and,secure it in adjusted position by means of the set screw 40.. Thus ifthe cam lug.38 be adjusted further around toward the right as viewed inFig. 1, it will be evident that the effective length of the cam, andtherefore the duration of closure of the contacts Will be shortened,while if the cam is displaced toward the left, it is apparent that theduration of contact will be lengthened.

Assuming the contacts 31 and 32 to be closed, it is apparent that eachtime the contacts 4d and 45 are brought together, a circuit will beestablished through the lamp 56 over the wires 55 and 57, and a path,indicated by the dotted line 58 in Fig. 1, formed through the frame ofthe instrument. Thus periodic electric impulses of definite durationwillbe impressed upon the circuit 55 and 57, and the lamp 56 thus caused toflash.

Considering now the ratchet wheel 25 and code disc 26, it will be seenthat these elements are rotated by a step-by-step movement by means ofthe pawl 21 attached to the arm 20 of the bell crank lever 11, thearrangement being such that the ratchet wheel is advanced one step foreach oscillation of the balance wheel. The ratchet wheel is held againstbackward rotation by sponding to the angular distance occupied by atooth on the ratchet wheel, or a multiple thereof. Thus in theparticular construction illustrated in Fig. 1, a code disc is shownhavingthree raised portions a, b and c, separated by depressed portionsd and e. The raised portion 1) corresponds to the space of oneratchet'tooth, the portion a corresponds to two ratchet teeth, and theportion 0 is co-extensive with three ratchet teeth. During such intervalof time as a raised portion is in engagement with the contact spring 30,the contacts 31 and 32 are held closed, while at all other times thesecontacts are open. From the above description, it will therefore beobvious that the contacts 31 and 32 will be closed by the raised portiona during two steps or oscillations of the balance wheel, by the portion72 during one step and by the .portion 0 during three steps. Since thecircuit closer, comprising the contacts 44 and 45, is operated at eachoscillation of the balance wheel, and therefore at each step of theratchet wheel, it is obvious that two operations of the circuit closer44:. and 45 will take place while the portion a of the code disc ispassing and holding the contacts 31 and 32 closed; one operation willtake place while the portion Z) holds the contacts 31 and 32 closed, andthree operations will take place While the portion a is passing. Thusthe signal light 56 will be caused to emit two flashes, then after aninterval, a single flash, and then after another interval, threeflashes. Thus observers will be able to interpret these flashes as thecharacteristic number 21 3, which, according to a predetermined code,can be caused to convey any desired meaning.

It will, of course, be understood that the mechamsm operatescontinuously, and the ratchet wheel and code disc are constantlyrotated,thus repeating the signal indefinitely in recurring cycles. It will beseen that the signal consists of a succession of groups of flashes,three groups being shown by way of example. The groups are separated bytime intervals corresponding to a relatively short depressed portion ofthe code disc, such as indicated by the letter (Z, such portionpreferably corresponding to the space of one tooth on the ratchet wheel.The recurring signals are, however, separated by time intervalscorresponding to a relatively long depressed portion on the code disc,such as indicated by the letter 0, such portion corresponding to anumber of tooth spaces on the ratclr t wheel. Thus the longer intervalenables the observer to clearly separate one signal from the next.

It is obvious that a code disc ofany desired profile or configurationmay be employed, utilizing signals made up of a single group, or of two,three or more groups of electric impulses or flashes, and the possiblecombinations of groups and intervals is almost endless.

Instead of the sleeve 39 and cam lug 38 and associated parts shown inFig. 4, I may in some cases employ the construction shown in Figs. 7 and8. In this construction 1 provide a radial flange 58, shaped to form anaxial cam face, carried by a sleeve 59 held by a set screw 60, and causethis cam sleeve to operate a circuit closer consisting of contacts 63and (54 carried by leaf springs 61 and (32. These leaf springs arearranged in overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 8, a portion (55 ofthe spring 62 lying beneath the spring 61. Moreover the spring 61carries at, its end an inturned lug 66 over which the cam flange 58rides. This form is preferable in that it prevents any possibility ofthe improper double operation of the circuit closer in case the balancewheel is given too great an angular displacement.

From the above it will be clear that 1 provide a signal circuit havingtwo pairs of contacts in series therein, one of these pairs beingcontinuously, periodically closed at regular intervals, and the otherpair being closed during a succession of time intervals varied inlength, in accordance with a predetermined code, the result being that asuccession of groups of electrical impulses is impressed upon thecircuit, one set of contacts, which I will call the circuit closer,producing and measuring the impulses, while the other set of contacts,which form a part of what I shall call the circuit controller,determines the number and code grouping of the impulses which serve toproduce the signal.

While I have shown and described an electric lamp as the signalingdevice operated by my improved timing mechanism, it will be perfectlyclear that the same mechanism can equally well be employed for operatingany other form of signal or translating device, such for example as abell, horn, or the like, and wherever I have used the word flash in thespecification and claims, it will be understood that I mean to include asignal impulse of any other character.

lVhile T have shown the signal circuit as directly controlled bythecontacts, it is obvious that a relay may be interposed between thecontacts and signal, if desired.

It will also be understood that instead of a' code disc having a camprofile for operating contact springs, the same result can be achievedby substituting for the code disc a commutator having suitably spacedlong andshort se ments against which the contact springs ear.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a pair of contacts, of an oscillatory momentumdevice, means for continuously oscillating said device at a constantrate, and cam mechanism associated with said device and arranged toclose said contacts for a definite period of time during eachoscillation of the device, said earn mechanism including adjustable svaussugara".

I means, whereby the duration of said period may be varied as desired.

' 2. The combination -with an oscillatory momentum device of the balancewheel type, of a shaft to which said device is secured, pivot hearingsin which said shaft is mounted, a spiral spring attached at one end tosaid shaft and at its other end to a fixed support, electromagneticmeans including an armature separate from said momentum device forperiodically imparting an impulse to said device so as to cause it andsaid shaft to oscillate freely ata constant rate, and a circuit closeroperated by said shaft at each oscillation thereof.

8. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timingmechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising anoscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a springlever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as ayielding bufi'er against which said pin engages to arrest the movementof said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, andautomatic means for suddenly increasing the tension of said spring aftersuch engagement, whereby the energy stored in said spring bythe stoppingof said device is returned to said device as it begins its swing in theopposite direction.

4. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timingmechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising anoscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a springlever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as ayielding bufier against which said pin engages to arrest the movement ofsaid device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and automaticmeans for suddenly moving said spring after such en-' gagement in adirection to impart a reverse impulse to said momentum device.-

5.- The combination with an electric 'circuit, of periodic timingmechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising anoscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a. springlever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as ayielding bufi'er against which said pin engages to arrest the movementof said device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, saidspring lever being flexed thereby, an armature on which said springlever is mounted, an electromagnet for moving said armature, and acircuit for said electromagnet-closed by the flexure of said springlever. I

6. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentumdevice, an abutment element carried thereby, a spring strip arrangedinthe path of travel of said element and serving as a yielding bufieragainst which said element engages to arrest the movement of saiddevice, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, and meansautomatically brought into operation during such engagement forimmediately returning to said device the energy stored in said spring bythe stopping of the said device, and simultaneously imparting to saiddevice an additional impulse sufi'icient to cause it to execute anotheroscillation.

7. The combination with an electric circuit, of periodic timingmechanism for controlling the same, such mechanism comprising anoscillatory momentum device, an abutment pin carried thereby, a springlever arranged in the path of travel of said pin and serving as ayielding butter against which said pin engages to arrest the movement ofsaid device, as it approaches the end of each oscillation, an armatureon \which said spring lever is mounted, an electromagnet for moving saidarmature, a circuit for energizing said electromagnet, and means forautomatically closing said circuit before said device reaches theextreme limit of its movement.

8; The combinatlon w than electric c rcult, of periodic timing mechanismfor 0011-,

trolling the same, such mechanism comprising an oscillatory momentumdevice, an abutment carried thereby, a spring arranged in the path oftravel of said abutment and serving'as a yielding louder against whichsaid abutment engages to arrest the movement of said device as itapproaches the end of each oscillation, and to return to said device, asit begins its swing in the opposite direction, the energy stored in thespring by the stopping ofthe device, and automatic.

electromagnetic. means for imparting to said device, simultaneously withsuch. return of energy, an additional impulse suf ficient to cause it toexecute another com plete' oscillation.

9. The combination with a shaft, andbearings in which said shaft ismounted to freely oscillate, of a, metallic mass secured to andsubstantially balanced on said shaft, saidshaft and mass constituting anoscilmovement of said momentum-device so as.

to be engaged and flexed thereby, a spring latory momentum device,electromagnetic secured at one end to said shaft and at the 7 other endto a fixed support, said sprin urging said momentum device toward annormally maintaining it in a position substantially at one limit of itsoscillatory travel,

in which position said contacts are in en gagement, with the said stripflexed or deformed, and the circuit of said winding closed, the movementof the momentum device from this position toward the other limit ofitsoscillating travel serving to sepa rate said contacts and open saidcircuit, thus permitting said fixed strip to straighten out.

10. The combination with a shaft, and hearings in which said shaft ismounted to freely oscillate, of a metallic mass secured to andsubstantially balanced on said shaft, said shaft and mass constitutingan oscillatory momentum device, electromagnetic means for eontinouslyoscillating said device and comprising a Winding, an electric circuitincluding said winding and a pair of contacts, one of said contactscomprising a resilient strip anchored at one end and having its otherend disposed in thev path of movement of said momentum device, so as tobe engaged and flexed thereby said resilient stripconstituting ayielding buffer for arresting the movement of the momentum device as itapproaches the end of each oscillation and returning to it the energystored in said strip. by the stop-ping of said device, the engagement ofthe momentum device with said strip serving at the same time to bringsaid contacts together, and thus energize said winding, to cause saidelectromagnetic means to impart to said device an additional impulsesulficient to cause it to execute anotherioscillation.

11. The combination with an oscillatory momentum device comprising ametallic mass and a shaft on which said mass is mounted andsubstantiallybalanced, of electromagnetic means for oscillating the same including awinding and a pair of contacts controlling the current therethro'ugh,one of said contacts comprising a resilient leaf spring anchored at oneend and mounted with its 'freeend in the path of movement of a portionof said momentum device so as to be flexed thereby, and a relativelystiff supporting member separate from said momentum device arran ed toengage said spring after the latter ias been so flexed to a certaindegree, and thus limit the extent to which said spring may yield.

12. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatorymomentum device, a spring strip arranged in the path of travel of a partof said device and serving as a yielding buffer against which saidmomentum device engages to arrest its movement as it approaches the endof each oscillation, and to return to said device, as it begins itsswing in the opposite direction, the energy stored in the spring by thestopping of the device, and automatic electromagnetic means the circuitof which includes said spring strip for imparting to said device,simultaneously with such return of energy, an additional impulsesuffieient to cause it to execute another complete oscillation.

13. Periodic electric timing mechanism comprising an oscillatorymomentum device, a spring strip anchored at one end and having its otherend arranged in the path of travel of said device and serving as ayielding buffer to arrest the movement of said device, as it approachesthe end of each oscillation, an electromagnet for simultaneouslyimparting to said momentum device a driving impulse, a circuit includingsaid spring strip for energizing said electromagnet, and means forautomatically closing said circuit before said device reaches theextreme limit of its movement.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ARTHUR W. TUPPER.

iSEiLAilMER 1,585,318.-Arthur W. Tu per, Riverdale, Md. Trian-ConraominnELnc'rRic SIGNALING Dnvion Patent dated May 18, 1926. Disclaimer filedFebruary 20, 1941, by the assignee, Universal Neon Equipment Company.Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 4, 6, 7 8, l2, and 13 of SH/1dLetters Patent.

[Qfiict'al Gazette March 18, Z 941

